In the heart of Pompeii, the ancient Garden of Hercules has been restored and reopened to the public after extensive efforts. Also known as the House of the Perfumer, the domus will be open for visits every Tuesday as the House of the Day following its official inauguration today. Visitors can now walk among flowers and scents from nearly 20 centuries ago, experiencing a garden that tells much more than a simple passion for greenery.
The Casa del Giardino di Ercole, dating back to the 3rd century BCE, has been brought back to its former splendor with the planting of 800 ancient roses, 1,200 violets, 1,000 ruscus plants, cherry trees, vines, and quince trees. This restoration involved experts in archaeology, botany, and agronomy, combining their knowledge to recreate the garden as it once was. The project exemplifies collaboration between public and private sectors and a harmonious meeting of archaeology, botany, and material culture.
Gabriel Zuchtriegel, the director of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, expressed his enthusiasm for the project. "The greenery of Pompeii, once perceived as a problem, is now recognized as an integral part of the archaeological experience. The natural and archaeological landscapes are merging again, as they were in ancient times," he said. Zuchtriegel also announced an innovative project with the association Rosantiqua to revive the ancient garden in the House of the Garden of Hercules, aiming to make, as Virgil says, "the fields smile."
The project was made possible thanks to the technical sponsorship of the Associazione Rosantiqua, presided over by Michele Fiorenza. Contributions from scholars such as Antonio De Simone, Salvatore Ciro Nappo, Michele Borgongino, Luigi Frusciante, and Gaetano Di Pasquale were instrumental in the project's success. Officials and technicians of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii closely followed the work, ensuring authenticity and precision in the restoration process.
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The reconstruction of the garden was based on texts and traces found in the soil, along with studies by botanist Wilhelmina F. Jashemski, who in the 1950s analyzed pollens, spores, and macro plant remains discovered during excavations. The careful selection of botanical species documented in Roman times was undertaken to revive plants that were once cultivated for their fragrances and commercial value.
The House of the Garden of Hercules owes its name to a marble statuette of Hercules found in the garden's lararium, which has been reconstructed in terracotta and repositioned next to the summer triclinium. The residence preserves traces of a refined artisanal and commercial activity: the production of perfumes, indicating its likely involvement in the production and commercialization of fragrances. Glass bottles, seeds, remains of fragrant plants, and an ancient irrigation system—unique in Pompeii—were found during the excavations, confirming the garden's productive function.
After the earthquake of 62 CE, the owner of the domus carried out building mergers to enlarge it for specialized production. At the time of Mount Vesuvius's devastating eruption in 79 CE, the house was undergoing restoration due to the damages it had sustained. The production of perfumes and the flower trade were still active in the area, illustrating the resilience and industrious spirit of its inhabitants.
The house is also famous for the inscription "cras credo" ("tomorrow we will have credit") placed at the entrance, a testament to the commercial activities that once thrived within its walls. The redevelopment included the restoration of the original ground level and the ancient irrigation system, along with the reconstruction of vine pergolas, bringing back to life not only a physical space but an entire culture of perfume, care, and beauty in Roman times.